After the Olympic season ended several players have started a new partnership. This may be for just the one occasion of the King of the Court Finals in Doha, or it’s the start of new household names for the future. Below we introduce five of the new teams to you. Who’s your favorite?
Hermannová/Štochlová
Both Barbora Hermannová and Marie-Sará Štochlová have never competed in King of the Court together. 31-year-old Barbora comes out of a partnership with Marketa Slukova that lasted six years, they played King of the Court Utrecht 2020 and almost reached the semis. Marie-Sará is nine years younger than her new partner and she has already performed well at youth tournaments in the past.
They have played together twice before leaving for Doha, how will they fare at playing King of the Court. We have experienced in the past that it’s a different game than regular beach volleyball and skills that help you in one concept might be counter effective in KOTC. You will see them play in Group A on January 6. How far will they reach in their first outing in chase of the crown?
Menegatti/Gottardi
Is this new pairing we have a 2021 King of the Court champion present. Marta Menegatti won CM.com King of the Court Utrecht 2021 alongside Maria Belén Carro. She is an experienced KOTC-player, already having played the discipline twice. First time round in 2020 she reached the semifinals with Viktoria Orsi Toth, her partner since 2018.
Same as with Hermannová and Štochlová, there is an age gap between the new partners. Marta is twelve years the senior of Valentina Gottardi. This 19 year old blocker is new to the game of King of the Court, but new things don’t scare her that easily. In October she played the World Tour Finals with Marta and showed what she is capable of.
Marta and Valentina will play in Group B. Will another crown be in sight for Marta? Check it out from January 6th on!
Guto/Aye
This is one team we definitely know won’t be a lasting one on the new Beach Pro Tour, because Gustavo Albrecht Carvalhaes and Quincy Aye have different nationalities. But for this tournament Guto (ranked 6th together with Arthur in King of the Court 2021) teams up with Quincy, who played Utrecht in 2020, Hamburg in 2021 and left a lasting impression.
Guto has been present in King of the Court since 2018 when he partnered up with Saymon Barbosa Santos. He reached the semis on multiple occasions, but that last step towards the final 5 teams has yet to be taken. Will he be able to do that with Quincy by his side? Go check them out on January 5th as they will, amongst others, take on the next couple.
Ranghieri/Lupo
This exciting new team will show the crowds in Doha some spectacular plays, we know this beforehand. Alex Ranghieri is an emphatic player that will get the crowd behind him and his teammate, he will always put his heart in every play on court.
His new partner has so many accolades to his name, he doesn’t need an introduction. But Daniele Lupo is new to the sport of King of the Court. And although among his merits are several European titles, an Olympic medal and countless win on the World Tour, he will have to show he’s capable of dealing with the feared clock.
Alex and Daniele will take on quite the opposition. Next to Guto and Quincy it’s Dutch KOTC-champions Stefan Boermans and Yorick de Groot and 2020 international Kings of Utrecht Marco Krattiger and Florian Breer. They have their work cut out for them.
Zemljak/M. Samoilovs
We know this Slovenian/Latvian mix will ring a bell with the King of the Court fans. Nejc Zemljak just missed out on reaching the final of CM.com King of the Court Utrecht 2021 last summer. Together with fellow countryman Jan Pokeršnik he ended in sixth place. Known for his calm and collected plays he will be a threat to all.
This tournament he will team up with a Samoilovs, but not the Lion King we know so well. Mihails Samoilovs is the younger brother of Aleksandrs and he will make his King of the Court debut in Doha. We know what young guns can achieve in King of the Court with unlimited energy. Is a crown within their grasp?
They will take on the Poniewaz twins and Austrians Pristauz and Ermacora in Group A and a team that is yet to be announced. Check our channels tomorrow and find out which mystery team will appear in Doha!
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